Back in 2021, Chae Jung-an shared a video on her personal channel showing herself shopping at a luxury boutique in the Yeoju Premium Outlets. Explaining the timing, she said the outlet was only about 20 minutes from her drama set and that filming had been delayed, unexpectedly giving her nearly five hours of free time. With a sharp eye, she browsed through designer items and picked up a jacket priced at ₩2.2 million (approximately USD 1,600), casually remarking that it was “worth the price.” Not long after, she appeared holding multiple shopping bags, smiling with clear satisfaction. Upon returning home, she joked, “I think I’ll get wrinkles from smiling so much. I’m not going to look at my credit card bill next month,” drawing laughter from viewers.
In 2024, Chae once again surprised fans in another video by revealing luxury items she purchased during a trip to Paris. She admitted, “I spent ₩10 million in just 30 minutes,” adding that while she sometimes shops modestly, there are moments when she splurges without hesitation. She also spoke frankly about money, saying that big purchases motivate her to work harder to earn it back and emphasizing that as long as it isn’t reckless overspending, she sees no issue. Confidently, she remarked that she earns far more than the price of the bag she bought, reinforcing her unapologetic stance on luxury consumption.
Her straightforward attitude toward spending soon went viral, with online posts highlighting her shopping lists under headlines such as “Is Spending ₩10 Million a Day on a Card Really Not Excessive?” The reactions ranged from admiration for her confidence to debates over celebrity consumption habits.
Chae Jung-an first debuted as a commercial model in 1995 and later gained recognition in 1999 with her debut album Heartless, even winning a New Artist Award at the Seoul Music Awards. She became a household name after portraying Han Yoo-joo in the hit drama Coffee Prince in 2007, solidifying her status as a style icon and role model for many women. She married a non-celebrity man in 2005 but divorced after two years, later focusing fully on her career.
Sources: Daum